Spring latch



March 27, 1962 w. K. McGxNTY 3,027,452

SPRING LATCH Filed May 16, 1960 if 7b 7 4277 7473 6J 53525 72 United States Patent O 3,027,452 SPRING LATCH William K. McGinty, Fort Atkinson, Wis., assigner to Thomas Industries Inc., Fort Atkinson, Wis., a corporation of Deiaware Filed May 16, 1966, Ser. No. 29,356 11 Claims. (Cl. 24U-M7) The present invention relates to recessed lighting 'lixtures, and more particularly to latch and bumper means for the lens or other closing means thereof.

Recessed lighting fixtures commonly comprise a housing open at one side through which the light is emitted, the open side being usually closed by transparent or translucent lens hingedly mounted to swing between an open position affording access to the interior of the housing and an operative position closing the opening. The lens or closure means is held in the closed position by a latch. For reasons of economy, the latch often is no more than a resilient strip bent or otherwise provided with a projection serving as a catch to effect retaining engagement between the closure means and the housing, and retractable by exing of the resilient strip to release the closure. Such prior art latches often release of the selves for various reasons, so that the lens or other closure means are not positively retained in the closed position, and thus may unintentionally come open. This is particularly the case with recessed fixtures installed in ceilings in which the weight of the closure means is added to other factors which may tend to effect release, such as vibration, and in which the closure means swing downwardly due to gravity upon release by failure of the latch. The closure means in so swinging may strike against the ceiling or be brought to a stop with a sudden abrupt shock, and therefore suffer damage. Such latches, fur thermore, are so located that a persons hand in operating the latch to open the closure means must almost necessarily be positioned at least partially in the path of the closure means, so that it interferes with the opening thereof and is subject to possible injury.

The present invention overcomes these difficulties, providing means for controlling opening movement of lens or other closure means of recessed lighting fixtures, particularly those installed in ceilings, by providing latch means which are positive in operation and particularly in retaining the closure means in closed position, and which allow the hand to be disposed entirely clear of the closure means so as not to interfere with the opening movement thereof and to avoid possible injurious contact therewith. In addition to the latch means, the invention includes means for resiliently stopping the opening move ment of the closure means in such manner as to avoid any possibility of damage thereto. The resilient stop or bumper means cooperates with the latch means in controlling the opening of the closure means, in that the unimpeded opening movement of the closure means provided by the latch means as already explained, which might result in damage to the closure means if totally unchecked, is safely cushioned and limited. The invention thus provides a novel arrangement for controlling the operation of closures for recessed lighting fixtures.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide means for controlling the operation of lens means or other closure means of recessed lighting fixtures.

Another object is the provision of novel latch means for hinged closures of lighting fixtures by which positive retention thereof in closed position is assured.

Another object is the provision of novel latch means for hinged lighting fixture closures which make unnecessary any contact with the closures in release thereof from closed position.

Another object is the provision, for hinged lighting fixtures closures disposed generally horizontally when closed so as to swing open by gravity when released, of latch means the operating element of which is so located as to avoid interference with the closure means by the hand in releasing the latch means.

A further object is the provision of latch means for hinged lighting fixture closures allowing closure release for gravitational opening thereof without interference orimpedance by the latch-operating hand and of means cooperating with the latch means to control closure operation by which opening movement of closures upon latch release is cushioningly limited and checked.

it is also an object of the invention to provide means for controlling free gravitational opening of lighting fixture closures permitting such opening unimpeded by a hand employed for the unlatching thereof and resiliently limiting such unimpeded opening of the closures to avoid possible damage or injury.

Another object is the provision of novel means for limiting opening movement of lighting fixture closures, by which such movement is stopped at a predetermined point without dangerous impact or shock.

Still another object is the provision of resilient means for cushioningly limiting opening movement of lighting fixture closures having anovel and advantageous onepiece construction.

Other. and further objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.V from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a fragmentary elevational view of a recessed lighting fixture, partly in section, showing in front elevation a latch according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View of the latch and associated parts I as shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially as indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is another vertical sectional View taken substanti ally as indicated by the line 5 5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating lthe application of the latch to.

a somewhat different closure means; and

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional View similar to FlG. 5, l. taken substantially as indicated by the line 7-7 of f FIG. 6.

of which is open. The edge of the housing at the open lower side is concealed by outer trim 11 of substantially rectangular form corresponding to the shape of the housing 16, and open or apertured at its central portion. The

trim is of generally angular shape in cross section, having a vertical leg or flange i2. which extends upwardly within the housing upon assembly of the parts, and a horizontal leg or flange 13 which extends laterally outwardly beyond the housing and also beyond the opening in the ceiling accommodating the housing, so as to conceal the saine. The vertical leg or flange i2 of the outer trim has an inturned lip 14 at its upper edge, and the horizontal flange i3 has an upturned lip 15 along its outer edge which engages against the ceiling when the fixture is installed.

The outer trim il is drawn up against the ceiling and attached to the housing 1li by any suitable means, and

may be considered as forming a part of the housing. A

other suitable material, transparent or translucent, which is carried in inner trim or lens frame 1S hinged at one side to the outer trim 11. The lens frame 1S is of rectangular form to t within the trim opening with a certain degree of clearance, and is of generally angular cross section, as best shown in FIG. 3, having a vertical frange 19 to extend parallel to the ange 12. of the outer trim and a horizontal inwardly extending flange 2t? the inner edge of which may be bent upwardly, and which receives thereon the edge portion of the lens i7. The lens may be secured in seated relation on the iange 2% of the lens frame by any suitable means, such as U-shaped clips 2l. spot Welded or otherwise secured to the flange 19 of the lens frame, with arms which are bendable to overlie the edge of the lens. The lens frame is hinged in any suitable manner, as by a known type of hinge means 2.2 secured to and extending from the outer face of the lens frame engaged in appropriately shaped slot means 23 in the adjacent portion of the outer trim l1, as best shown in FIG. 3.

For releasably holding the closure in closing position, a latch according to the present invention, generally designated 25, is provided. For economy and convenience in manufacture, the latch is formed as an assembly attachable to the outer trim as a unit. The assembly comprises a latch mounting frame or bracket of angular formation providing a mounting llange 26 adapted to engage on the upper surface of the outturned flange 13 of the outer trim, and an attaching ilange 27 extending at substantially right angles to the mounting flange, and adapted to be secured to the outer face of the vertical ange'12of the outer trim. Wings 28 extend upwardly from the ends of the bracket ange 26, and wings 2.9 extend outwardly `from the ends of theattachinig ilange 27, asbest seen `in FIGS. l to 3. A channel-like offset 30' extending transversely of the llange 26 is formed intermediate the wings 28 by suitable upward bending ofthe material, -and in alignment therewith in the ange 27 there is formed a similar offset 31. The offsets 36 and 31 are separated by an aperture in the flanges 26 and .27, a major portion ofgwhich aperture is formed in the ange 27 and comprises a portion 32 wider than the oiset 31 and extending from the offset to the line of bend between the flanges 26 and 27, and having a relatively narrow portion 33 extending laterally trom the upper portion thereof, as best seen in FIGS. l and 4. Another portion 34 of the opening is formed in the flange 26 as a continuation' of the opening portion 32. lt will be, evident' that the bracket may readily be formed from a suitable flat plate bent to the angular bracket form.

The latch proper is constituted lby a catch or bar 35 which may be formed of an elongated ilat metal strip bent or stepped at its central portion so that the ends thereof lie invspaced preferably parallel planes, as best seen in FIG. 3. One end portion 36 of the latch bar is disposed overlying the offset 30, and is pivotally mounted thereon'by any suitable pivot, such as a rivet 37 extending through suitable registering apertures in the latch bar-and in the offset. It will be noted that the provision of the ollset portion allows the accommodation of either the head or upset end of the rivet 37, or corresponding end portions of similar headed means which may be employed as the pivot, within the recess or channel provided thereby, without projection of such end beyond the outer or lower face of the ange 2.6, and thus contributes to the simplicity of the construction and the ease of application thereof. They other or free end portion 38 of the latch bar projects through the aperture portion 32, in such position that it may freely move into and out of the laterally projecting slot portion 33 of the aperture, the intermediate stepped or bent portion 39 of the bar being of suicient extent to separate the two end portions of the bar the necessary distance. This intermediate portion 39 is `disposed in slightly spaced relation to the plane of the offset 31, and as best shown in FllG. 2, is formed by bending along two parallel lines which are non-normal to the axis of the bar 35, extending at an angle of approximately 5 to a line normal to the longitudinal midline of the bar, and arranged so that the edge of thc intermediate portion 39 which leads in the releasing or unlatching movement of the bar is disposed closer to the tiange 27 than is the other edge thereof. It will thus be apparent that when the latch bar 35 pivots about the rivet 37 in opening or unlatching movement, the intermediate bar portion -3-9 does not in its arcuate movement approach the bracket ange 27 too closely, and thus avoids possible jamming with a plunger 40 provided to operate the latch.

The plunger 4l); formed of a flat strip of metal, is disposed extending across the aperture portion 32, with an end portion thereof received in guided relation within the offset 31, and an opposite end portion accommodated in the aperture portion 34 and projecting outwardly beyond the lower face of the flange 26. The plunger 46 has `formed in the edge thereof adjacent the laterally extending slot portion 33 a notch deined by an edge portion 41 extending inwardly from the edge ofthe plunger on a line substantially normal to` the longitudinal midline thereof, and an edge portion 42 extending from the inner end of the edge portion $1 at an angle of approximately 45 to adjacent said edge of the plunger, terminating in a short edge portion 43 substantially parallel to the edge portion 4l. As best seen from FIG. 4, the notch receives the free end portion 3S of the latch bar 35, and in the normal latching or closing position of the latch has the edge portion 41 thereof engaging the upper surface of the latch bar, the angled camming surface 42 extending in a downward direction. It will be evident that when the plunger 40 is moved in an upward direction as viewed in FIGS. l, 3 or 4, the latch bar 3S will be moved laterally outwardly of the notch, by reason of the action of the angled camming surface 42, at least partially into the slot portion 33, until the stop edge portion 43 engages the lower surface of the latch bar, when the camming action of course ceases. The latch bar is still engaged in the plunger notch, but the arrangement is such that the latch bar will have effected release of the latched or relatively retained parts, that is, the housing closure 16 and the outer trim 1.1. The stop edge portion prevents latchreleasing movement of the plunger 4S to such an extent as to pass the notch beyond the latch bar 35, and possibly so far that the lower projecting end of the plunger would no longer project to any appreciable extent. In such circumstances, movement of the plunger in the opposite direction, to allow return of the latch bar to the latching position, might require otherwise unnecessary manipulation of the parts.

The latch bar is urged to the normal latching position, in this case by a coil spring 45 which has its opposite ends attached in any suitable manner to the intermediate portion 39 of the latch bar and the wing 29 spaced therefrom in the direction of the latching movement. It will be apparent that the camming action of the plunger 40 to effect releasing movement of the latch bar 35 is made against the bias of the spring 45. Upon release of the upwardly acting force on the plunger, the spring reverses the action, drawing the latch bar to the latching or retaining position, and the return movement of the latch bar then causes downward movement of the plungerQby reason of the engagement of the latch bar with the camming edge portion 42. The plunger is held in operative assembly by this arrangement. It may be removed or inserted by movement of the latch bar in the releasing direction to a point out of the plunger notch.

The latch assembly is secured to the vertical iiange of the outer trim, preferably at the side thereof opposite that which is hinged to the outer trim 11 as previously described, in any suitable manner, as by a pair of rivets 46 extending through appropriately located rivet holes in the ange 27 of the latch bracket and the ange 12 of the outer trim. The flange 27 lies against the trim flange 12 with the plunger 40 slidable vertically therealong, guided in its movements by the offset 31 and the trim ange, which cooperate to detine a guide passage therefor as will be particularly evident from FIG. 2. A slot 4'7 is provided in the trim flange 12 which substantially registers with the upper portion of the aperture portion 32 and the laterally projecting slot portion 33 to receive the free end portion 38 of the latch bar 35 therethrough, so that it may engage releasably with the lens frame 1S. A suitable slot 4S is also formed in the outturned horizontal flange 13 of the outer trim to receive the lower portion of the plunger l4t) in downwardly projecting relation therethrough.

In the portion of the vertical flange 19 of the lens frame 18 disposed parallel and opposite to the slotted portion of the trim flange 12 in the closed position, there is provided a keeper recess 49 extending downwardly from the upper edge of the flange 19 to a level such as to accommodate and receive the free end portion 3S of the latch bar 35 when the closure means is in its closing position. The lower edge of this recess is` substantially horizontal, and of a length to correspond to the slot (i7. At the end of the recess 49 substantially corresponding to and registering with the end of the slot 47 toward which the latch bar is biased by the spring 45, there is formed a keeper portion Sti which projects inwardly of the recess 49 to overlie a portion of the lower edge of the recess, the lower edge of the keeper portion 50 being spaced from the lower edge of the recess i9 a distance sui'licient to readily receive the latch bar 35 therebetween, the keeper portion Sil with the adjacent end of the recess 49 and the lower edge thereof defining a keeper notch 51, as best shown in FIG. 5, into which the latch bar is drawn by the spring 45 so as to engage under the keeper portion 50 and thus prevent downward swinging, or in other words, opening, of the closure. From FIG. 5, which shows in phantom the position of the plunger 4t? in the engaged position of the latch, it will be clear that the inward projection of the keeper portion 50 over the bottom edge of the recess 49 is so limited in extent as to allow the bar 35 to be moved out of the notch 51 and beyond the end of the portion t) in the unlatching or releasing movement thereof before, or at least not after, the latch bar 35 has been engaged by the stop edge portion 43 of the plunger. Thus` upon operation of the plunger, the latch bar 35 is pivoted to move out of the keeper notch 51 to allow the housing closure to drop or swing downwardly about the hinge means 22. Upon release of the plunger dit, the spring 45 returns the latch bar and the plunger 40 to the normal or latchin'g positions thereof.

When the opened closure is swung upwardly to closed position, it is not necessary to operate the plunger Litt to shift the latch bar to releasing position so as to clear the keeper portion 50, and then to allow the bar to be swung back into the notch 51. The keeper portion is provided with a diagonal upper edge portion 52, extending at an angle of approximately 45 from the upper edge of the vertical flange 19 of the lens frame toward the end of the portion 50. This angled edge portion serves as a camming means for engaging the latch bar 35 and shifting it in the releasing direction thereof, the bar riding relatively downwardly on the edge portion 52 until it passes the end of the portion 5G, whereupon it engages in the notch 51. While in the present instance the recess 49 is shown as being cut from the flange 19 in such shape as to provide the notch 51, keeper portion 50, and cam edge 52, it will be appreciated that if desired, and depending largely upon the particular manner of forming the lens frame 18, the flange 19 might be provided with a rectangular recess extending from its upper edge, and the keeper portion provided by a suitably shaped latch or keeper plate spot welded or otherwise secured adjacent an end of the recess and having a portion corresponding to the portion 50 extending inwardly relative to said end to provide substantially the same construction as illustrated.

Cooperating with the latch construction hereinabove described to afford desired control of the housing closure means is ya cushioning construction to prevent damage or injury by the swinging open of the closure. This cushioning or resilient bumper construction comprises an eye 53 formed in the vertical flange 19 of the lens frame, along a side extending between the side thereof hinged on the trim 11 and the side formed for llatching engagement With the latch bar 35, an elongated slot 54 formed in the inturned lip 114 of the trim 11 directly above the point at which the eye 53 is located when the closure means is in the closing position, and a cushioning spring generally indicated at 55. The spring 55 is formed of a single length of suitable wire, such as piano wire, and comprises a helically coiled portion 56 of suitable length, and an uncoiled portion 57 integral with the coiled portion and doubled back substantially axially through the coiled portion from one end thereof and projects outwardly of the other end thereof. The uncoiled portion S7 is substantially straight in the extent thereof lying within the coiled portion `56, but preferably is arcuately curved through the extent of its projecting part, as shown generally at 58. This projecting part, in the present instance,l is of appreciably greater length than the coiled portion 56, as evident from FIG. 3. The end of the uncoiled portion 57 is formed into a hook 59'which is passed through the slot 54 of the inturned trim ange 14 and engaged through the eye 53 formed in the flange 19 of the lens frame, leaving the major portion of the spring extending above the trim 11 within the housing 1d when the closure 16 is in closing position. The arcuate curvature indicated at 58 has its center lying approximately in the hinging axis of the housing closure means 16. When the closure means is allowed to swing open by release of the latch, the arcuately curved part 53 of the uncoiled portion 57 of the spring is drawn downwardly through the slot 54, until the lower or free end of the coiled portion 56 engages on the inturned trim lip 14, the slot 54 being so shaped and dimensioned as not to permit passage of the coiled portion '56 therethrough. By reason of the inherent resilience of the coiled portion 56, the downward movement of the closure 16 is checked with a relatively gentle snubbing action which avoids any such shock as might cause damage to the closure, short of a point at which it might be stopped suddenly by the hinge means employed, or strike against the ceiling or trim.

In FiGS. 6 and 7, there is illustrated another recessed xture embodying the invention which ditters from the construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive primarily in employing a. diierent form of housing closure. The xture otherwise employs substantially the same parts and structure as in the above-described embodiment, with a housing construction including the housing 10 and the trim 11, provided with the latch 25 and its associated construction substantially as already described, except that the keeper is somewhat changed. As will be clear from FIG. 6, a closure 69 is provided for the housing comprising a regress type of lens 61 carried by a lens frame 62 which is of substantially angular cross section defined by a horizontal ange 63 and a vertical flange 64 depending from the outer edge of the flange 63. The lens frame lits within the opening of the trim 11 defined by the vertical iiange 12., with suitable clearance, `and is hinged on the trim 11 in any suitable manner, as for example -by the hinge structure disclosed in connection with the ixture of FIGS. l to 5. Similarly, the lens frame is adapted for connection to the cushioning spring 55 which is provided substantially as in the embodiment of FIGS. l to 5 inclusive. The lens 61 is held in the frame by any appropriate means, shown in this instance as comprising a generally U-shaped securing bracket 65, a suitable number of which may be employed. The bracket 65 has one leg 645 thereof extending underneath an edge portion of the lens 6l, which may be recessed for reception thereof, and the other leg o7 extending between the lens and the inturned horizontal flange 63 of the lens frame. 68 projects through the flange and is threadedly engaged with the bracket leg 66 to draw the bracket upwardly to clamp the lens securely against the frame, the lens 6l extending below the edge of the vertical flange dd for this purpose.

The portion of the lens frame `62 which in closed posi-y tion of the closure 6d is located opposite the latch is formed with a :rectangular aperture extending in both lianges 63 and 64. The portion 69 of this aperture in the horizontal ange of the frame is of sufficient depth or width to provide clearance for the free end of the latch bar 35, and the portion 70 in the vertical flange 64 is adapted to accommodate the free end 3S of the latch bar. A latch plate 7l is secured as by spot welds 72 or other means to the outer face of the flange 6ft, adjacent the aperture portion 7d. The plate 7l has its upper edge recessed .to provide an open keeper slot 73 substantially registrable with the slot L'i7 of the trim ange lli, partially closed by a keeper portion 74 which projects laterally inwardly thereof at the end to which the latch bar is normally biased. The keeper portion 'ill defines a keeper notch 75 with the lower edge and the adjacent end edge of the slot 73 and itself serves to engage the latch bar in the latching position thereof to hold the closure d against swinging open. The recess '73 is preferably somewhat smaller than the aperture portion 7l), so as to provide edge portions lying relatively inwardly of corresponding edge portions of the aperture portion 74B, as shown in FIG. 7. This is not necessary to the invention, however, and the plate 7l may be of any desired form providing the keeper portion 74, which may cooperate with edges of the aperture portion 7d to provide the notch '75, The keeper portion 74 has an angled upper edge portion 76 which serves to cam the latch bar 35 out of its latching position when the closure 6G is swung back from open to closed position, in the same manner as the cam edge portion 52 previously disclosed. It will be appreciated that the recess 73, keeper portion 74, and keeper notch 75 correspond respectively to the recess 49, keeper portion 50 and keeper notch 51 disclosed hereinabove, and coopcrate with the latch bar 35 in substantially the same manner.

A light shield 77, shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be provided to cover the slot 47 and block passage of light therethrough to the exterior of the housing and trim, if desired. The shield may be formed from a portion of opaque self-sustaining sheet material, preferably of dark color. The shield 77 is centrally apertured to receive the free end portion of the latch bar therethrough, and is slipped onto the bar before assembly of the bar on the bracket, to lie outwardly of the flange 27 and to be carried by the bar in its pivotal movements to and from latching position.

The wings 2g assist in locating the trim lll. relative to the housing l0, and prevent contact with the central step portion 39 of the latch bar by the housing, while the wings 2S protect the pivoted end 3d of the bar from being engaged by the housing. The wings thus guard against possible jamming or other interference with the latch bar.

lt will be apparent from the foregoing description and the drawings illustrating the same that the invention provides safe, positive control means for the closures of recessed lighting fixtures and the like, and that the latch and spring means by which control of the opening of such closures is achieved are most efectivo yet simple to manufacture and assemble and to operate.

It will be evident that many changes in and modiica- A screw,

d tions of the embodiment of the invention specifically disclosed herein may be made without departure from the inventive concept. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited otherwise than as required by the spirit and scope of the appended claims,

l claim:

l. ln a recessed lighting fixture comprising an opensided housing, trim of generally angular cross section extending along `the housing edge at the open side thereof having one flange thereof disposed partially in the nousing and the other projecting laterally outwardly of the housing, a lens for closing the open housing side, and a lens frame carrying said lens extending about the `edge thereof and hingedly disposed within said trim and `having a portion parallel in closed position to said one trim flange, a spring latch structure releasably securing said lens in closing position, said latch structure comprising slot in said one trim ilange generally parallel to the other `trim flange, a latch bar pivotally mounted on said other trim liange for movement in a plane parallel there to and having a free end projecting through said slot, a spring urging said latch bar toward one end of the slot, an aperture in the other trim Flange, a longitudinally movable plunger projecting through said aperture substantially perpendicular to the latch bar, a notch in said plunger receiving the latch bar therein, said notch including a cam surface engaging the bar and arranged to shift the bar toward the other end of the slot upon longitudinal movement of the plunger inwardly of the other trim iiange and also including a stop surface to limit said movement, means for guiding movement of the plunger, an opening in said lens frame portion suhstantially opposite said slot and adapted to receive said free latch bar end therein, keeper means providing a catch projecting into said opening for latc'ning engagement with said latch bar upon positioning thereof at said one slot end and for disengagement from said latch bar for release of the lens from said closing position upon shifting of the bar toward said other slot end, said catch having a camming surface for engaging the bar in tovement of the lens and lens frame to closing position for moving the bar against the force of said spring to a position allowing the spring to move the bar into engagement with the latch.

2. A lighting lixture substantially as defined in claim 1, in which the latch bar has an intermediate offset portion extending in a piane intersecting the bar in nonperpendicular relation to the midplane of the bar.

3. In a lighting fixture including a housing having an openi. g defined by a marginal housing portion extending at an angle to the plane of the opening, and closure means disposable within said marginal portion for closing the opening, latch means for releasably securing the closure means in closed position comprising an aperture in said marginal portion, a latch-mounting bracket of plate-like form secured to the marginal portion having an intermediate offset formed therein and being bent transversely of the offset to provide a pair of angularly related flanges each including a part of said offset, a slot in one of said flanges extending across a side edge of the offset part thereof, a latch bar having a free end portion projecting through said slot and its other end disposed on the offset part of the other flange, pivot means mounting said other end on said other flange otfset part for pivotal bar movement in a plane generally parallel to the plane of said opening and including an enlargement accommodated in the recess dened by said other offset part, means mounted on said bracket biasing the latch bar to a position in said slot extending across said one flange offset part, an operating member slidably received in said one offset part, having a recess at least partially receiving the latch bar in said biased position thereof and defining a cam surface engageableV with the bar to move the bar in the slot from said biased position against the action of said biasing means upon movement of the plunger in one direction, and means securing said one bracket ange to the marginal portion with said slot in general registry with said aperture for projection of the latch bar therethrough for engagement in said biased position with said closing means in the closed position and for disengagement from the closing means upon said anti-biasing movement thereof by said operating member.

4. A lighting fixture substantially as defined in claim 3, in which said flanges have wings extending from end edges thereof to prevent interference with the latch by said marginal housing portion.

5. A recessed lighting fixture comprising an opensided housing, trim of generally angular cross section extending along the housing edge at the open side thereof having one flange thereof extending at least partially within the housing and the other projecting laterally outwardly of the housing, a closure for the open housing side having a portion parallel to said one trim flange in closed position, and a spring latch structure releasably securing said closure in closing position, said latch structure comprising a slot in said one trim flange generally parallel to the other trim llange, a latch bar pivotally mounted on said other trim flange and having a free end projecting through said slot for movement therein, biasing means urging said latch bar toward one end of the slot, a plunger extending and movable substantially perpendicularly to the latch bar, a notch in said plunger receiving the latch bar therein and including a cam surface for shifting the bar toward the other end of the slot upon movement of the plunger in one direction, an opening in said closure portion substantially opposite said slot in closed position adapted to receive said free latch bar end therein, means providing a keeper portion extending into said opening for latching engagement with said latch bar upon positioning thereof at said one slot end and for disengagement from said latch bar for release of the closure from said closed position upon shifting of the bar toward said other slot end, said keeper portion having a camming surface for displacing the bar against .the force of said spring in closing movement of the closure to allow closure movement to fully closed position.

6. In a lighting fixture including housing means having an opening deiined by a marginal portion thereof extending substantially normal to the plane of said opening, said housing also having a portion extending generally parallel to the plane of the opening, and closure means for the opening hinged on the housing within said marginal portion and having a wall portion thereof extending in a plane closely parallel to a part of the marginal portion in closed position, means for controlling said closure means comprising a latch structure for releasably securing the closure means in closing position and means for limiting opening movement of the closure means, said latch structure including a slot in said marginal portion generally parallel to the plane of the opening, an aperture in said wall portion of the closure means substantially registering with said `slot in closed position of the closure means, a latch plate secured on said closure means in partially overlying relation to said aperture to detine therewith a notch at one end of the aperture, a latch bar arranged to project through said slot and aperture, means mouting said latch bar for pivotal movement parallel to the plane of said opening toward and from said one end of the aperture for engagement in said notch to hold the closure means in closed position and for disengagement from the notch to release the closure means for opening movement, means biasing the latch bar to notchengaging position, a releasing plunger movable transversely of the slot in a plane parallel to and outwardly of said marginal portion and having an indentation accommodating the latch bar and providing a cam surface moving the latch bar from said notch-engaged position upon movement of the plunger in one direction and returning the plunger to its initial position upon movement of the latch bar to the notch-engaged position by said biasing means, said limiting means including a bumper spring having a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion of appreciably greater length than the coiled portion and connected -to one end thereof extending therethrough and projecting for a considerable distance outwardly from the other end thereof, and an aperture in said parallel portion such as to receive the uncoiled portion slidably therethrough while preventing passage therethrough of the coiled portion, means connecting the uncoiled portion to the closure means, said uncoiled portion extending through said parallel portion aperture and in closed position of the closure means holding the -coiled portion spaced from said parallel portion inwardly relative to said opening, said coiled portion resiliently engaging the parallel portion in opening movement of the closure means upon release thereof from closed position by operation of the latch structure to limit swinging movement of the closure means.

7. A lighting fixture comprising a housing having an opening defined by a marginal portion thereof extending at an angle substantially normal to the plane of said opening, said housing also having a portion extending generally parallel to the plane of the opening, closure means for the opening hingedly mounted within said marginal portion with a wall portion thereof extending in a plane parallel to a part of the marginal portion in closed position, means for controlling said closure means comprising a latch structure for releasably securing the closure means in closing position and means for limiting opening movement of the closure means, said latch structure including a slot in said marginal portion generally parallel to the plane of the opening, keeper means on said wall portion of the closure means substantially opposing one end of said slot in closed position of the closure means, a latch bar arranged to project through said slot for engagement with said keeper means, means mounting said latch bar for pivotal movement parallel to the plane of said opening toward and from said one end of the slot for engagement with said keeper means to hold the closure means in closed position and for disengagement from the keeper means to release the closure means for opening movement, means biasing the latch bar to keeper-engaging position, a releasing member arranged laterally outwardly of the opening movable in a plane parallel to said marginal portion engaging the latch bar and providing a cam surface moving the latch bar from said keeper-engaged position upon movement 4of the releasing member in one direction and returning the releasing member to its initial position upon movement of the latch bar to the keeper-engaged position by said biasing means, said limiting means including a bumper spring having a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion of appreciably greater length than the coiled portion and connected to one end thereof extending therethrough and projecting outwardly from the other end thereof, and an aperture in said parallel portion slidably passing the uncoiled portion while preventing passage therethrough of the coiled portion, means connecting the uncoiled portion to the closure means, said uncoiled portion extending through said parallel portion aperture and in closed position of the closure means holding the coiled portion spaced from said parallel portion inwardly relative 4to said opening, said coiled portion resiliently engaging the parallel portion in opening movement of the closure means upon release thereof from closed position by Operation of the latch structure to limit swinging movement of the closure means.

8. In a lighting fixture including a housing having an opening at one side thereof and hinged closure means for said opening, means for controlling said closure means comprising a latch ,for releasa'oly securing the closure means in closed position and means for limiting opening movement thereof, said latch including an aperture in a housing portion adjacent the opening, a latch bar `projecting through-said aperture -for retaining engagement .positions engaged with and disengaged from the closure means, means biasing the latch bar to said engaged position, a releasing member extending transversely of the latch bar and-providing a cam surface engaging-therewith for moving the bar against the action of said biasing means to said disengaged position for releasing the closure means from closed position, said limiting means including a resilient bumper member, a relatively stiff elongated member secured to said bumper member, a housing portion extending in overlapping relation to the closure means, and a restricted aperture in said overlapping -portion adapted to pass said elongated member but not said bumper member, said elongated member being connected to the closure means and extending through said restricted aperture and in closed position of the closure means holding the bumper member spaced from the overlapping portion, said Abumper member engaging said overlapping portion in opening movement of the closure means to limit such opening movement upon release of the closure means by said latch.

9. A lighting fixture comprising a housing having an opening at one side thereof and hinged closure means for said opening, means for controlling said closure means including a latch for releasably securing the closure means in closed position and means for limiting opening movement thereof, said latch including an aperture in a housing portion adjacent the opening, a latch bar projecting through said aperture Lfor retaining engagement with the closure means in closed position thereof, means mounting said latch bar for pivotal movement between positions engaged with and disengaged from the closure means, means biasing the latch bar to said engaged position, a releasing member engageable with the latch bar and having a cam surface for moving the bar against the action of said biasing means to said disengaged position for releasing the closure means from closed position, said limiting means including a resilient bumper member, a relatively stif elongated member secured to said bumper member, a housing portion extending in overlapping rela- 12 tion tothe closing means, and a restricted aperture in said overlapping portion adapted to pass said elongated Vmember but not said bumper member, said elongated member being connected to the closure means and extending through said restricted aperture, said bumper member engaging said overlapping portion in opening Vmovement of the closure means to limit such opening movement upon release of the closure means by said latch.

10. A latchimounting bracket yassembly comprising a plate-like Vmember having an intermediate olset formed therein and bent transversely of the oset to provide a pair of angularly related flanges one including one part of the offset 'and the other including another part of the oset, a slot in said one ange extending transversely across a side edge of said one offset part, a latch bar having a free end portion projecting through said slot and its other end disposed on said other offset part, pivot means connecting said other bar end on said other oiset part for pivotal movement of the bar shifting said free end portion in said slot, said pivot means including a. retaining element disposed in the recess defined by the other oiiset part, means on said member biasing the latch bar to -a position in the slot Within the longitudinal projection of said one oiset part, a plunger guidedly engaged in the one otset part having a notch at least partially reeiving the latch bar in said biased position thereof and aording a cam surface engageable with the bar to move the bar in the slot from said biased position against the force of said biasing means upon movement of the plunger in one direction.

11. A latch bracket assembly substantially as defined in claim 10, in which projecting wings are provided on the ends of said flanges limiting approach of associated parts to the assembly.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 17,917 Boyland Ian. 6, 1931 435,109 Woodcock ---n Aug. 26, 1890 2,204,330 Travis June 11, 1940 2,851,588 Bodian et al. Sept. 9, 1958 

